Lift lever crown cap system and method

ABSTRACT

A crown cap is couplable to a container. The crown cap has a central region and a downwardly extending side wall. At least one score line is in a geometric configuration on the central region of the crown cap. The at least one score line forms a tongue. The tongue is adapted to be bent or hinged downwardly. In this manner a passageway is provided for a liquid. A lever is coupled to the crown cap. A post extends through the lift lever and the central region of the crown cap. A tamper-evident secure band is designed into the side wall of the crown cap. A non-corrosive material is used to form the crown cap, lever and attachment post.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lift lever crown cap system andmethod and more particularly pertains to forming a pour through topopening in a crown cap crimped onto a bottle, such forming of an openingbeing done in a safe, ecological, convenient and economical manner.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of closure systems of known designs and configurations is knownin the prior art. More specifically, closure systems of known designsand configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose ofclosing containers through known methods and apparatuses are known toconsist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structuralconfigurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by thecrowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment ofcountless objectives and requirements.

By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,465 issued Aug. 29, 2000 toHenning relates to a Tamper Evident Closure System. U.S. PatentApplication Publication Number 2003/0057174 by Folchini relates to aTamper Proof Closure for containers of Liquids. Lastly, U.S. PatentApplication Publication Number 2007/0181526 by Frishman relates to anEasy-Pull Bottle Cap.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives andrequirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a lift levercrown cap system that allows for forming a pour through top opening in acrown cap crimped onto a bottle, such forming of an opening being donein a safe, ecological, convenient and economical manner.

In this respect, the lift lever crown cap system according to thepresent invention substantially departs from the conventional conceptsand designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatusprimarily developed for the purpose of forming a pour through topopening in a crown cap crimped onto a bottle, such forming of an openingbeing done in a safe, ecological, convenient and economical manner.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need fora new and improved lift lever crown cap system which can be used forforming a pour through top opening in a crown cap crimped onto a bottle,such forming of an opening being done in a safe, ecological, convenientand economical manner. In this regard, the present inventionsubstantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofclosure systems of known designs and configurations now present in theprior art, the present invention provides an improved lift lever crowncap system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, whichwill be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a newand improved lift lever crown cap system and method which has all theadvantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a lift levercrown cap system. First provided is a bottle for containing a liquid.The bottle has a generally cylindrical body. The bottle has an open top.The open top has a circular lip. The bottle has an axially spaced,outwardly extending projection. The lip is provided above theprojection. The lip is provided in a horizontal plane at an elevationabove a plane containing the outwardly extending projection. The bottleis fabricated of an essentially non-corrosive material. Thenon-corrosive material is selected from the class of essentiallynon-corrosive materials including glass, plastic, coated aluminum, steeland paper.

A crown cap is provided. The crown cap is sealingly coupled to thebottle. The crown cap has a circular central region. The crown cap has adownwardly extending side wall. The side wall is provided in afrusto-conical configuration. The side wall has an inwardly scrolledlower edge forming a continuous, inwardly extending annular ledge. Thecentral region of the crown cap radially terminates in a downwardlyextending V-shaped projection. The crown cap has an upwardly extending,inverted U-shaped projection. The U-shaped projection is providedbetween the V-shaped projection and the side wall. The crown cap isfabricated of a non-corrosive coated aluminum.

The crown cap is positioned over the top of the bottle. The invertedU-shaped projection is located above the lip of the bottle. The V-shapedprojection is located radially inward of the top of the bottle. The sidewall of the crown cap is crimped. The ledge of the crown cap is providedbeneath and in continuous contact with the outwardly extendingprojection of the bottle. In this manner a tamper evident-secure lockband is provided. Further in this manner the body strength of the bottleis increased and evidence of tampering is provided.

The crown cap is adapted to be inverted prior to being crimped andcoupled to the bottle. The space between the V-shaped projection and theside wall forms an annular trough. An adhesive is provided in thetrough. The adhesive is a hot melt adhesive chosen from the class ofadhesives including liquid flow-in and extrusion sealants. The adhesiveis a plastic or rubber, natural or synthetic, or blends thereof. Theadhesive is adapted to form a seal between the bottle and the crown cap.

Further provided is at least one die cut score line. The score line isin a curved configuration on the circular region of the crown cap. Thescore line or lines form a tongue. The tongue is adapted to be bent orhinged to extend into the bottle. In this manner a passageway isprovided for liquid from the bottle to be poured from the bottle. Thepassageway has an area. The area of the passageway is greater than 50percent of the area of the central region of the crown cap.

Provided last is a lift lever. The lift lever is coupled to a generallycentral region of the crown cap. A post is provided. The crown cap andlift lever and post are fabricated of a non-corrosive coated aluminum orcoated steel. The post extends through the lift lever and the centralregion of the crown cap. The post divides the lift lever into a largeportion and a small portion. The large portion is located above thetongue. The small portion is laterally spaced from the tongue. The liftlever has a large portion end. The lift lever has a small portion end.The ends are located above the V-shaped projection. The lift lever isadapted to be pivoted about the post 180 degrees. In this manner thelarge portion of the lift lever extends radially beyond the cap and thesmall portion of the lift lever is above the tongue. The large portionis thus adapted to be lifted to lower the small portion. In this mannerthe score line or lines are fractured and the crown cap is opened forpouring purposes.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not beregarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved lift lever crown cap system which has all of the advantages ofthe prior art closure systems of known designs and configurations andnone of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved lift lever crown cap system which may be easily and efficientlymanufactured and marketed.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved lift lever crown cap system which is of durable and reliableconstructions.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved lift lever crown cap system which is susceptible of a low costof manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and whichaccordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consumingpublic, thereby making such lift lever crown cap system economicallyavailable to the buying public.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a liftlever crown cap system for forming a pour through top opening in a crowncap crimped onto a bottle, such forming of an opening being done in asafe, ecological, convenient and economical manner.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved lever crown cap system. A crown cap is couplable to acontainer. The crown cap has a central region and a downwardly extendingside wall. At least one score line is in a geometric configuration onthe central region of the crown cap. The score line or lines form atongue. The tongue is adapted to be bent or hinged downwardly. In thismanner a passageway is provided for a liquid. A lever is coupled to thecrown cap. A post extends through the lever and the central region ofthe crown cap.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a lift lever crown cap system constructed inaccordance with the principles of the-present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the system taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the lift lever crown cap system similar to FIG.1 but in an open configuration.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the system taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an inverted cross sectional view of the crown cap illustratedin FIG. 1 but prior to crimping onto a bottle.

FIG. 6 is an inverted cross sectional view of the crown cap similar toFIG. 5 but after crimping.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout thevarious Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof,the preferred embodiment of the new and improved lift lever crown capsystem embodying the principles and concepts of the present inventionand generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

The present invention, the lift lever crown cap system 10 is comprisedof a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest contextinclude a crown cap, a score line, and a lift lever. Such components areindividually configured and correlated with respect to each other so asto attain the desired objective.

First provided is a bottle 14 for containing a liquid. The bottle has agenerally cylindrical body. The bottle has an open top 16. The open tophas a circular lip 18. The bottle has an axially spaced, outwardlyextending projection 20. The lip is provided above the projection. Thelip is provided in a horizontal plane at an elevation above a planecontaining the outwardly extending projection. The bottle is fabricatedof an essentially non-corrosive material. The non-corrosive material isselected from the class of essentially non-corrosive materials includingglass, plastic, coated aluminum, steel and paper.

A crown cap 24 is provided. The crown cap is sealingly coupled to thebottle. The crown cap has a circular central region 26. The crown caphas a downwardly extending side wall 28. The side wall is provided in afrusto-conical configuration. The side wall has an inwardly scrolledlower edge 30 forming a continuous, inwardly extending annular ledge 32.The central region of the crown cap radially terminates in a downwardlyextending V-shaped projection 34. The crown cap has an upwardlyextending, inverted U-shaped projection 36. The U-shaped projection isprovided between the V-shaped projection and the side wall. The crowncap is fabricated of a non-corrosive coated aluminum or steel.

The crown cap is positioned over the top of the bottle. The invertedU-shaped projection is located above the lip of the bottle. The V-shapedprojection is located radially inward of the top of the bottle. The sidewall of the crown cap is crimped. The ledge of the crown cap is providedbeneath and in continuous contact with the outwardly extendingprojection of the bottle. In this manner a tamper evident-secure lock isprovided. Further in this manner the body strength of the bottle isincreased.

The crown cap is adapted to be inverted prior to being crimped andcoupled to the bottle. The space between the V-shaped projection and theside wall forms an annular trough 40. An adhesive 42 is provided in thetrough. The adhesive is chosen from the class of sealing materialsincluding hot melt adhesives, liquid flow-in, extrusion sealants, andflowing liner thermosetting materials. The adhesive is a plastic orrubber, natural or synthetic, or blends thereof. The adhesive is adaptedto form a seal between the bottle and the cap.

Further provided is a die cut score line 46. The score line is in ageometric, preferably curved, configuration on the circular region ofthe crown cap. The score line forms a tongue 48. The tongue is adaptedto be bent to extend into the bottle. In this manner a passageway isprovided for liquid from the bottle to be poured from the bottle. Thepassageway has an area. The area of the passageway is greater than 50percent of the area of the central region of the crown cap.

Provided last is a lift lever 52. The lift lever is coupled to agenerally central region of the crown cap. A post 54 is provided. Thecrown cap and lift lever and post are fabricated of a non-corrosivecoated aluminum. The post extends through the lift lever and the centralregion of the crown cap. The post divides the lift lever into a largeportion and a small portion. The large portion is located above thetongue. The small portion is laterally spaced from the tongue. The liftlever has a large portion end. The lift lever has a small portion end.The ends are located above the V-shaped projection. The lift lever isadapted to be pivoted about the post 180 degrees. In this manner thelarge portion of the lift lever extends radially beyond the cap and thesmall portion of the lift lever is above the tongue. The large portionis thus adapted to be lifted to lower the small portion. In this mannerthe score line is fractured the cap is opened for pouring purposes.

Also provided is a lift lever crown cap fabrication method for forming apour through top opening in a crown cap crimped onto a bottle.

The first step is providing a crown cap. The crown cap is couplable to acontainer. The crown cap has a central region. The crown cap has adownwardly extending side wall. The side wall is adapted to be providedwith appropriately placed surface dimples and/or scores and/or beads foraccommodating the flow of metal while undergoing the scrolling process.

The second step is providing a score line. The score line is in a curvedconfiguration on the central region of the crown cap. The he score lineforms a tongue. The tongue is adapted to be bent downwardly. In thismanner a passageway is provided for a liquid.

The third step is providing a lift lever. The lift lever is coupled tothe crown cap. A post is provided. The post extends through the liftlever and the central region of the crown cap.

The fourth step is providing a container. The container has a generallycylindrical body. The container has an open top. The open top has acircular lip. The lip is provided above an axially spaced outwardlyextending projection.

The fifth step is crimping the side wall of the crown cap to thecontainer below the outwardly extending projection.

The last step is sealing the central region of the crown cap to the topof the container. The sealing may be by a sealing material chosen fromthe class of sealing materials including hot melt sealing material,flowing liner thermosetting material and extrusion sealant.

As to the manner of-usage and operation of the present invention, thesame should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, nofurther discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will beprovided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1. A lift lever crown cap system comprising: a crown cap couplable to acontainer, the crown cap having a central region and a downwardlyextending side wall; at least one score line in a geometricconfiguration on the central region of the crown cap, the at least onescore line forming a tongue adapted to be bent downwardly to therebyprovide a passageway for a liquid; and a lever coupled to the crown cap,a post extending through the lever and the central region of the crowncap.
 2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container is abottle, the bottle in the form of a generally cylindrical body with anopen top, the open top being formed with a circular lip above an axiallyspaced outwardly extending projection, the lip being in a horizontalplane at an elevation above a plane containing the outwardly extendingprojection, the bottle being fabricated of a non-corrosive materialselected from the class of non-corrosive materials including glass,plastic, coated aluminum and paper.
 3. The system as set forth in claim1 wherein the downwardly extending side wall is in a frusto-conicalconfiguration, the side wall having an inwardly scrolled lower edgeforming a continuous, inwardly extending annular ledge.
 4. The system asset forth in claim 1 wherein the central region radially terminates in adownwardly extending first projection, the crown cap having an upwardlyextending inverted second projection between the first projection andthe side wall.
 5. The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the crowncap is positioned over the top of the bottle and wherein the side wallof the crown cap is crimped whereby the ledge of the crown cap isbeneath and in contact with the outwardly extending projection of thebottle to form a tamper-evident secure lock for increasing the bodystrength of the bottle.
 6. The system as set forth in claim 5 whereinthe crown cap is adapted to be inverted to provide an annular trough, ahot melt adhesive in the trough, the hot melt adhesive being selectedfrom the class of adhesives including liquid flow-in and extrusionsealants, plastic and rubber, natural and synthetic, and blends thereof,the hot melt adhesive adapted to form a seal between the cap and thebottle.
 7. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lift lever hasa large portion with a large portion end and a small portion with asmall portion end, the ends located radially interiorly of the sidewall, the lift lever adapted to be pivoted about the post 180 degreeswhereby the large portion of the lift lever extends radially beyond thecap and the small portion of the lift lever is above the tongue, thelarge portion being thus adapted to be lifted to lower the small portionfor fracturing the at least one score line and opening the cap forpouring purposes.
 8. A lift lever crown cap system for forming a pourthrough top opening in a crown cap crimped onto a bottle, the systemcomprising, in combination: a bottle for containing a liquid, the bottlebeing formed in a generally cylindrical body with an open top, the opentop being formed with a circular lip above an axially spaced, outwardlyextending projection, the lip being in a horizontal plane at anelevation above a plane containing the outwardly extending projection,the bottle being fabricated of an essentially non-corrosive materialselected from the class of essentially non-corrosive materials includingglass, plastic, coated aluminum, steel and paper; a crown cap sealinglycoupled to the bottle, the crown cap having a circular central regionand a downwardly extending side wall in a frusto-conical configuration,the side wall having an inwardly scrolled lower edge forming acontinuous, inwardly extending annular ledge, the central region of thecrown cap radially terminating in a downwardly extending V-shapedprojection, the crown cap having an upwardly extending, invertedU-shaped projection between the V-shaped projection and the side wall,the crown cap being fabricated of a non-corrosive coated material chosenfrom the class of non-corrosive materials including aluminum and steel;the crown cap being positioned over the top of the bottle with theinverted U-shaped projection located above the lip of the bottle and theV-shaped projection located radially inward of the top of the bottle,the side wall of the crown cap being crimped whereby the ledge of thecrown cap is beneath and in continuous contact with the outwardlyextending projection of the bottle to form a tamper-secure lock forincreasing the body strength of the bottle and providing evidence oftampering; the crown cap adapted to be inverted prior to being crimpedand coupled to the bottle, the space between the V-shaped projection andthe side wall forming an annular trough with an adhesive in the trough,a hot melt adhesive in the trough, the hot melt adhesive being selectedfrom the class of adhesives including liquid flow-in and extrusionsealants, plastic and rubber, natural and synthetic, and blends thereof,the adhesive adapted to form a seal between the bottle and the cap; adie cut score line in a curved configuration on the circular region ofthe crown cap, the score line forming a tongue adapted to be bent toextend into the bottle to thereby provide a passageway for liquid fromthe bottle to be poured from the bottle, the passageway having an areagreater than percent of the area of the central region of the crown cap;and a lift lever coupled to a generally central region of the crown cap,a post extending through the lift lever and the central region of thecrown cap, the crown cap and lift lever and post being fabricated of anon-corrosive coated material chosen from the class of non-corrosivecoated materials including aluminum and steel, the post dividing thelift lever into a large portion located above the tongue and a smallportion laterally spaced from the tongue, the lift lever having a largeportion end and a small portion end, the ends located above the V-shapedprojection, the lift lever adapted to be pivoted about the post 180degrees whereby the large portion of the lift lever extends radiallybeyond the cap and the small portion of the lift lever is above thetongue, the large portion being thus adapted to be lifted to lower thesmall portion for fracturing the at least one score line and opening thecap for pouring purposes.
 9. A lift lever crown cap fabrication methodcomprising: providing a crown cap couplable to a container, the crowncap having a central region and a downwardly extending side wall;providing at least one score line in a curved configuration on thecentral region of the crown cap, the at least one score line forming atongue adapted to be bent downwardly to thereby provide a passageway fora liquid; providing a lift lever coupled to the crown cap, a postextending through the lift lever and the central region of the crowncap; providing a container formed with a generally cylindrical body withan open top, the open top being formed with a circular lip above anaxially spaced outwardly extending projection; crimping the side wall ofthe crown cap to the container below the outwardly extending projection;and sealing the central region of the crown cap to the top of thecontainer.
 10. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the sealing isby a sealing material chosen from the class of sealing materialsincluding hot melt sealing materials and flowing liner thermosettingmaterial.